DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Under general supervision, the Senior Caseworker provides professional social services work involving the determination and recommendation of the need for service, and the formulation and carrying out of plans to meet the individual problems of cases assigned. The functional duties are similar to those of the Caseworker, except that through training and experience, Senior Caseworkers have gained an expertise to handle more complex problems and situations with less direct supervision. Incumbents in this title may be required to carry a small caseload. The Senior Caseworker may exercise supervision over a small number of subordinate workers, paraprofessionals and volunteers. Shift work and on-call duties may be required. Does related work, as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Interviews applicants and persons referring cases of children or families needing care, supervision, or services;
Recommends services necessary to carry out plans to meet the needs of individuals or families;
Makes visits to children/families to ascertain the need for services and to assess risk;
Develops involved or complex social histories and a plan of treatment which, with supervisory approval, is the basis for delivery of the services;
Aids individual Caseworkers in formulating service and work organization plans;
In each case, in cooperation with the individual or family, plans the use to be made of available resources;
Studies the background and need for care of children referred, securing information from the child himself, the family, relatives, schools, churches, family courts and other agencies;
Makes necessary collateral contacts with employers, relatives, friends, physicians, hospitals, and other agencies;
When foster care is necessary, facilitates the most appropriate placement given the child/family needs;
Studies and evaluates family homes desiring to care for children or adults needing out-of-home placement;
Arranges for services to children and adults including taking them to appointments if other transportation is unavailable;
Plans with parents and relatives for the care of children/adults and reestablishment of the home;
Makes referrals to other agencies when indicated;
Writes letters and reports as required, including the maintenance of individual client case files and other records;
Periodically reviews cases to determine changes in client situation affecting the need for service;
Assists the Case Supervisor in administering the work of the unit, including supervision of Caseworkers/Paraprofessionals, participation with after hours on-call, attending meetings, accomplishing public presentations and processing of paperwork;
Investigates reports of suspected abuse/maltreatment, including assessing risk to clients and developing/implementing appropriate service plan;
Interfaces with agency legal staff, family court and criminal courts as necessary.
The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of modern principles and practices of social casework and social group work including child welfare services, child protective services and adult services programs; good knowledge of Federal, State, and local public welfare laws and programs and the ability to apply knowledge of performance of duties; skill in interviewing; good knowledge of the techniques of case recording; working knowledge of the techniques of preparing social studies; ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with people; ability to direct the work of others; ability to interpret the work of the agency; initiative; good powers of observation and analysis; imagination; sensitivity to the reactions of others; tact; emotional maturity; good judgment; and good physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, talk and hear.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet, but sometimes can be noisy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PROMOTIONAL: Candidates must have at least two years of permanent status as a Caseworker in the Genesee County Department of Social Services.